BCIN Designer vs Architect vs Engineer: Who Can Design What in Ontario

The short comparison

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Why architects and engineers are exempt

The Building Code Act says no one may prepare a design, or give an opinion on code compliance, for a permit application unless they have the designer qualifications in the Building Code. The same section then exempts holders of a licence or certificate under the Architects Act or the Professional Engineers Act (Building Code Act s. 15.11BCA s. 15.11 Qualifications for various positions(1) A person is not eligible to be appointed as a chief building official unless he or she has the qualifications set out in the building code for the position. (2) Subsection (1) also applies to every inspector who has the same powers and duties as a chief building official in relation to sewage systems or to…, subsections 5 and 8). The Building Code's own designer rules repeat that link (OBC Div. C 3.2.1.1.OBC Div. C 3.2.1.1. Scope(1) This Section prescribes, for the purposes of clause 8(2)(c) and subsection 15.11(5) of the Act, the qualifications for a person who carries out design activities.).

So the BCIN system exists for everyone else: technologists, designers, contractors who design, and in-house designers.

What a BCIN designer can take on

Designers can only work in the building types that match their registered classes (OBC Div. C 3.2.4.7.OBC Div. C 3.2.4.7. Conditions(1) The following are the conditions of a registration: (a) the registered person shall carry out design activities only in respect of the type of buildings described in Column 3 of Table 3.5.2.1. that correspond to the class or classes of registration held by the registered person, (b) if the registered person is a…, Table 3.5.2.1.OBC Div. C Table 3.5.2.1. Classes of Registration and Categories of Qualifications for Inspectors and Persons Who Carry Out Design Activities[1][2] — Forming Part of Sentence 3.5.2.1.(1)Table 3.5.2.1. — Classes of Registration and Categories of Qualifications for Inspectors and Persons Who Carry Out Design Activities[1][2] — Forming Part of Sentence 3.5.2.1.(1) Item | Classes of Registration for Inspectors and Persons Who Carry out Design Activities | Categories of Qualifications for Inspectors and…). Our summary:

The Part 9 limits come from OBC Div. A 1.3.3.3.OBC Div. A 1.3.3.3. Application of Part 9(1) Subject to Article 1.3.3.3B., Part 9 of Division B applies to all buildings described in Article 1.1.1.1. of 3 storeys or less in building height, having a building area not exceeding 600 m², and used for major occupancies classified as (a) reserved (b) Group C, residential occupancies other than buildings used…. Note that holding a Large or Complex Buildings qualification does not stop the Architects Act or Professional Engineers Act from applying to a big project. In practice, BCIN designers with Large or Complex qualifications often work inside teams with architects and engineers, or on alterations.

When an architect or engineer is required

There are two layers.

1. Their own Acts. The Architects Act and the Professional Engineers Act decide which buildings must be designed by an architect or engineer. Division C points to the relevant clauses of those Acts (OBC Div. C 1.2.1.1.OBC Div. C 1.2.1.1. Application(1) Article 1.2.1.2. applies with respect to a building described in clause 11(3)(a) or (b) of the Architects Act or subsection 12(4) or clause 12(5)(a) of the Professional Engineers Act.). We do not paraphrase those Acts here; read them on e-Laws or ask the Ontario Association of Architects or Professional Engineers Ontario.

2. The Building Code's general review table. Division C requires construction of the buildings listed in Table 1.2.2.1 to be reviewed by an architect, an engineer or both (OBC Div. C 1.2.2.1.OBC Div. C 1.2.2.1. General Review by Architect or Professional Engineer(1) The construction, including, for greater certainty, enlargement or alteration, of every building or part of it described in Table 1.2.2.1. shall be reviewed by an architect or a professional engineer or a combination of both as set out in Column 3 of the Table. (2) A person who intends to construct or have…, Table 1.2.2.1.OBC Div. C Table 1.2.2.1. General Review — Forming Part of Sentence 1.2.2.1.(1)Table 1.2.2.1. General Review — Forming Part of Sentence 1.2.2.1.(1) Forming Part of Sentence 1.2.2.1.(1) Building Classification by Major Occupancy[5] | Building Description | General Review by: Assembly occupancy only | Every building | Architect and professional engineer[1] Assembly occupancy and any other major…). The pattern, in broad strokes:

This is our simplified reading, not the table itself. The thresholds use terms such as "gross area" and "building area" that are defined differently, so check the table and its notes for your project.

3. Specific engineered items. Some parts of any building must be designed by an engineer regardless of size, for example a foundation built below the footings of an adjacent building and within the soil's angle of repose, or underpinning (OBC Div. C 1.2.1.2.OBC Div. C 1.2.1.2. Design by Architect or Professional Engineer(1) A foundation of a building shall be designed by a professional engineer where, (a) the foundation is to be constructed below the level of the footings of an adjacent building and within the angle of repose of the soil, as drawn from the bottom of the footings, or (b) underpinning of a foundation is to be…). The same article covers certain glazed sprinkler-protected walls, storage racks, large tents and some signs.

Separately, Part 9 is prescriptive. When a house design goes beyond its span tables, footing tables or other limits, the structure is normally designed under Part 4, and building departments typically expect engineered drawings for those elements. If you are unsure whether your beam, opening or foundation is outside Part 9, ask your building department early.

Homeowners and small projects

You may not need anyone qualified:

• An owner designing their own house, or an ancillary building serving it, is exempt from designer registration (OBC Div. C 3.2.5.1.OBC Div. C 3.2.5.1. General(1) Except as provided in Sentence (3), a person who carries out design activities but is not required under Sentence 3.2.4.1.(1) to be registered with the director under Sentence 3.2.4.2.(1) must have the following qualification: (a) the person must be registered with the director under Sentence 3.2.5.2.(1). (2) A…).
• An ancillary building serving a house with a building area of not more than 55 m² is also exempt under the same article.
• Some work does not need a permit at all; your building department can tell you.

Exempt does not mean anything goes. The building department will still review your drawings against the code.

Who signs what on a house project

For a typical new house or addition designed by a BCIN firm:

1. The firm is registered in the House (or Small Buildings) class.
2. A qualified designer named on that registration reviews the drawings and signs them with the firm's registration number, their name, BCIN and a responsibility statement (OBC Div. C 3.2.4.7.OBC Div. C 3.2.4.7. Conditions(1) The following are the conditions of a registration: (a) the registered person shall carry out design activities only in respect of the type of buildings described in Column 3 of Table 3.5.2.1. that correspond to the class or classes of registration held by the registered person, (b) if the registered person is a…).
3. If the house needs HVAC design, a person qualified in HVAC - House usually takes responsibility for that part. House plumbing and HVAC design are exempt from the design-firm registration in OBC Div. C 3.2.4.1.OBC Div. C 3.2.4.1. General(1) Except as provided in Sentences (3) and (4), every person engaged in the business of providing design activities to the public must have the following qualification: (a) the person must be registered with the director. (2) A registration shall be in a form established by the director. (3) A person is exempt from…, but that only moves the work under the "other designer" rules in Subsection 3.2.5; it does not remove the qualification.
4. Any engineered element (an engineered beam, a retaining wall, underpinning) carries an engineer's seal.

Which route is right for a career

If you want to design houses and small buildings soon, the BCIN route is the fastest: a legal exam plus House or Small Buildings, then registration. Many technologists start there and keep it alongside other credentials. Architecture and engineering licences take years and open much larger projects. See BCIN designer: how to become one and Which BCIN exams do I need?.